Tavaner Sullivan

Experience

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  Texas Monthly

  Jun 2006 - Apr 2008

  Sales Resource Specialist

  I worked closely with the magazine’s two associate publishers, helping to maintain relationships with top national and local advertisers, executing business development strategies, and organizing annual company sales meetings.

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  PCI News, Inc.

  Jun 2008 - May 2010

  Managing Editor, Texas Home & Living

  I led the editorial strategy and development of the bi-monthly architecture, design, and living magazine, which included developing editorial lineup; managing a team of photographers, writers, and designers; editing all manuscripts; and authoring articles.

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  Medill School of Journalism, Northwestern University

  Jun 2011 - Jun 2012

  News21 Fellow, Carnegie-Knight Foundation on the Future of Journalism Education

  I was selected as one of 11 fellows to explore innovative digital storytelling on the topic of education. My reporting focused on student health, health education, and the challenges around lunches in schools.

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  Mind Over Media, LLC

  Jan 2012 - Mar 2016

  I developed and executed cross-platform content marketing strategies for agency clients. I was responsible for the management of cross-functional teams, which included: writers, editors, copyeditors, strategists, designers, art directors, community managers, strategic communicators, media planners, video producers, and engineers. I also led client accounts, directly managing clients. I led all inbound marketing initiatives to grow the digital audiences for our clients’ online platforms, including a healthcare magazine and community for teen girls. I also developed digital sponsorship packages for advertisers, and launched and marketed two online pop-up shops.

  • Director of Content + Creative

    Sept 2013 - Mar 2016

  • Marketing Operations Manager

    Jan 2012 - Aug 2013
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  Redbird Group

  Sept 2013 - Jun 2017

  Senior Director Content + Creative

  I managed multidisciplinary teams to develop and execute cross-platform content marketing strategies. My clients included Staples, California Closets, CertaPro Painters, and Southern California Public Radio. I also helped grow our agency team from five to more than 20.STAPLES: I led a team charged with managing, growing, and engaging (through hands-on moderation and content) a community of small business owners on LinkedIn. Within a few months of our management and content development, the group was the No. 1 most engaged sponsored group on LinkedIn. We went on to produce small-business content for the company’s other platforms, which included video, infographics, slideshares, and articles. We also worked closely with the internal Staples team and an external development team to develop a content-driven mobile and web platform called Staples QuickWins.CALIFORNIA CLOSETS: I led a team of writers and editors responsible for all written content for a new California Closets website, which was a key piece of a larger rebranding effort. This included developing new brand and product copy, auditing all existing content and editing any repurposed copy. We also developed a content strategy that included a blog, social media (Instagram, Pinterest, Houzz, Yelp, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and LinkedIn), email marketing, and internal communications (email, conferences, and educational content). Show less

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  TAVANER

  Mar 2016 - Jan 2024

  Head of Brand + Content

  I partnered with brands and organizations to develop brand and content strategies — and creative — to reach, engage, and build trust with their audiences. I worked with: Costco, California Closets, J.P. Morgan, Staples, EO Products (EO and Everyone brands) Tastemade, Banner MD Anderson, University of Arizona, Puget Sound Energy, Clorox, Australis Aquaculture, LA Financial Credit Union, startups, and more. BRAND STRATEGY:Knowing who you are, what you stand for, what problem you’re solving for your customers and stakeholders, and how you show up (personality and voice) is essential to any organization wanting to make its mark – and endure. BRAND LANGUAGE: Strategy is the first step. The next? Translating it into the language tools you need to confidently, clearly, and effectively tell your brand story. Tools such as brand narrative, key messages, and foundational copy (website, etc.). BRAND CONTENT:Stories are rarely told just once. They are told – and reinforced – again and again. Enter content strategy: The key to effectively telling your brand’s story and connecting with your people in consistent, compelling, and creative ways. WRITING: Good writing is a result of good thinking. And good thinking requires curiosity, deep understanding, and a process for working through ambiguity to clarity. EDITING:Every writer needs an editor. A good editor identifies what’s working and what’s not; and reworks, revises, and refines until the content honors its purpose. Show less

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  Program 11

  Jan 2024 - Feb 2024

  Creative Director